Bridge



(No Model.)

A. H. ALLDRIDGE.

VELOGIPEDE.

No. 336,372. Patented Feb. 16. 1886.

lLlNrTan STATES PATENT @FFICEG ARTHUR HENRY ALLDRIDGE, OF BIRMINGHAM,COUNTY OF XVARVVIOK, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL JOHN DAVIS,OF SAME PLACE.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,372, dated February16, 1886. Application filed October 20. 1885. Serial No. 180,438. (Nomodel.) Patented in England March 24, 1884, No. 5,364.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR HENRY ALL- DRIDGE, of Birmingham, in thecounty of \Varwick, England, manufacturer, and a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, have in Vented certain new and useful Improvements inCompressed-Air Motors for Driving Velocipedes, Tricycles, and other likeMachines, (for which I have received Letters Patent in Eng land, No.5,36i, dated March 24,1884;) andI do hereby declare that the followingis sufficient description of the invention to enable those skilled inthe art to which it appertains to carry the same into practical effect.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple form of motor fordriving velocipedes, tricycles, and other like machines by means ofcompressed air.

XVhen a velocipede or other similar machine is proceeding down a hill,there is a considerable amount of propelling-power consumed in the shapeof friction on the brake, which in ordinary circumstances is entirelywasted, and which surplus power would be of great service if it could bestored up so as to be utilized either as an independent means of drivingor as an auxiliary power when traveling uphill or on a level road.

Now, my invention consists of a suitable 0 means of utilizing suchsurplus poweror other surplus power which may be found availablesuch,for instance, as in stopping the machine-for storing air and retainingthe same so stored until it is required to drive or assist in drivingthe vehicle. I provide a suitable reservoir or receiver of sufficientstrength to sustain the necessary internal pressure. This receiver ispreferably made of steel, in order to insure lightness with strength,and is fitted with a suitable safety-valve adapted to its strength. I donot confine myself to any precise position for this receiver, as suchposition depends upon the particular construction of the vehicle towhich it is applied. To the ordinary pedal-axle I fit two or more extracranks. One or more of such cranks is or are fitted so that it or theymay work or drive one or more air pump or pumps. Suitable induction andeduction valves are fitted lo the pumps, the induction-valves admittingair from the external atmosphere into the pumps, and the eduction-valvesallowing the air to be pumped or forced into the reservoir and pre-,vent its return. A junction-tube with a cock is also fitted to allow theair to pass freely in and out of the pump when it is inconvenient toforce air into the reservoir; or relief-taps of any convenient form maybe fitted for the same purpose; or a disconnecting apparatus may befitted, whereby the pumps may be put into or out of gear.

The most convenient and advantageous time for using the pump and storingair in the res ervoiris when descending a steep hill, at which time theapplication thereof not only utilizes 6 the propelling force acquiredfrom the inclination of the road, but also acts effectually as a braketo prevent the speed of the vehicle becoming too great. hen the vehiclehas arrived at the end of the incline, the pumps may be immediatelydisconnected or the air admitted freely thereto, as no useful work canthen be obtained from them, and the reservoir retains the compressed airalready stored until it is required for use to produce motive power.

The remaining crank or cranks, hereinbefore mentioned as fitted to thepedal-axle, is or are in connection with a driving-cylinder ordriving-cylinders constructed and arranged in a similar manner tosteam-engine cylinders, having pistons, piston and connecting rods,valves,eceentrics, and reversing-gear for working the slide-valves anddistributing the compressed air to the cylinders, or, instead ofordinary cylinders, I adapt the tower spherical engine as a means ofdriving the pedalaxle. I connect such engine or cylinder or cylinders bymeans of a pipe having a regulating-valve or stop-cock with theair-reservoir, providing a suitable reducing-valve in 0 order toequalize the pressure of the air and the power of the engine.

The means of applying the power stored in the reservoir being always atthe command of the rider, such power may be applied when- 5 everrequired; but it is intended more espes cially to be used in ascendinghills, in which I) is the air-pump, which is worked by the crank 0. disthe driving-cylinder. e is the crank driven thereby, and which actuatesthe pedal-axle. f is the eccentric which works the slide-valve. thereservoir to the driving-cylinder, and his the cock orregulator foradmitting the compressed air to the cylinder cl.

What I claim, then, is-

1. The combination of the wheels with the pedal-axle provided withtreadles, cranks c e, the eccentric f, the air-pump b, theconnecting-rod between the piston of said air-pump and crank c, thedriving-cylinder d, the connecting-rod between the piston oi' saiddriving-cylinder and crank e, theslide-valve, the connecting-rod betweensaid slide-valve and g is the air-pipe leading from the eccentric f, thereservoir (1, in which air is compressed by pump 1), the pipe 9, throughwhich the air passes from said reservoir to said driving-cylinder, andthe cock h in said pipe, which regulates the passage of airthrough thesame, for the purpose set forth.

2, The wheels and pedal-axle of a tricycle or bicycle, in combinationwith-a reservoir for compressed air carried thereby, a pump operated bysaid pedal-axle for supplying air to said reservoir, a driving-cylinderthe piston of which is connected to said pedal-axle, and a pipe allowingcompressed air to pass from 'said reservoir to said driving-cylinder,the vehicle being arranged and adapted to be propelled either by theriders feet or by the driving-cylinder at will, substantially as setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my name in thepresence of two witnesses.

' ARTHUR HENRY ALLDRID GE.

